Social media fuelling ‘hidden’ sexual abuse of children, study finds

Social media fuelling ‘hidden’ sexual abuse of children, study finds Exclusive: Experts said the ‘rapid developments’ around online harms and social media are changing how children are abused - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments The true scale of children who are sexually abused over social media risks becoming “hidden” due to the pace at which such offending develops, a new analysis has found. In its latest report, the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) estimates that in six children in England and Wales are now sexually abused during childhood, with girls twice as likely to have experienced sexual abuse than boys. Experts said their analysis shows the “shocking scale” of child sexual abuse and that “rapid developments” around online harms and social media are contributing to the ever-changing picture of how children are abused. But they warned that without better training for professionals and more complete surveys on the issue, the true scale of of child sexual abuse risks going under the radar, and children could be left without support. Researchers added the scale of child sexual abuse in online contexts is currently difficult to estimate because of the "fast pace of change" in that abuse, and said more research is needed to better understand its true prevalence. The report brings together insights from an Office for National Statistics (ONS) crime prevalence survey; data from local authorities, police and criminal justice during 2024 and 2025; and prominent international research to provide what experts believe is the most complete estimate of the prevalence of child sexual abuse. The figure is an increase on the CSA’s 2021 report, which estimated that around one in ten children were sexually abused before the age of 16. It now believes 20 per cent of girls and 10 per cent of boys in England and Wales are sexually abused before the age of 18, and that a growing number of these involve online elements. Experts told The Independent the estimate does not necessarily mean that more children are experiencing abuse, but due to better understandings of the scale of the issue because more adults are reporting experiencing online sexual abuse when they were children, and because there is “more awareness and less stigma” surrounding discussing child sexual abuse among young people, making them more likely to report their experiences. The report estimates 500,000 children will experience in-person, contact sexual abuse every year in England and Wales, but experts said that the figure is a significant underestimate of the total scale of child sexual abuse because it fails to take into account online offending. Police estimate that over 40 per cent of child sexual abuse offences in England and Wales now have an online element. Concerningly, researchers found that while child sexual abuse is estimated to be very prevalent, the number of child needs assessments – which is the process social services use to decide whether a child needs extra help – naming child sexual abuse as a concern fell to a decade low between 2024 and 2025, suggesting professionals may be missing the signs. The CSA said there is a “significant and growing gap” between the number of children who are being sexually abused and the much smaller number receiving any support for that abuse from children’s social care. The report’s authors point out that there is currently no dedicated survey in the UK measuring current or recent levels of child sexual abuse. They called on the government to fund such a survey in a bid to “better understand the true scale and nature of child sexual abuse”. Ian Dean, director at the CSA, said: “This report brings the shocking scale of child sexual abuse into sharp focus, making clear that this is sadly not a rare or unusual occurrence. Yet worryingly few cases ever come to the attention of statutory agencies, with children unlikely to disclose abuse directly and many professionals lacking the knowledge and confidence to identify and act on signs and concerns.” Chief executive of the children’s charity NSPCC, Chris Sherwood, said it was “incredibly concerning” to see the widening gap between the estimated prevalence of child sexual abuse and the number of children coming to the attention of professionals. He called for “urgent action” to improve early identification and training for professionals. “We cannot allow figures of this scale to numb us to the stark reality we’re living in,” he said. “Behind every number in this new analysis is a child who has suffered sexual abuse, and who has had their safety and trust violated in ways that can have lifelong consequences. “It’s incredibly concerning to see the widening gap between the estimated prevalence of child sexual abuse and the number of children coming to the attention of professionals. It poses the distressing question, how many are suffering in silence, unseen and unsupported? We must create a culture where child sexual abuse can be openly discussed, so children have the confidence to come forward and receive the support they need.” A government spokesperson said: "The findings in this report are deeply concerning and underline the scale of abuse experienced by children. Too many victims continue to suffer in silence and never disclose what has happened to them. "Protecting children is one of the government's most important responsibilities. Through the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act, we are strengthening child protection arrangements, improving information sharing and establishing new multi-agency child protection teams in every local authority area. "Prosecutions and convictions for child sexual abuse offences are now at their highest levels in 20 years. We are investing a record £100 million to strengthen law enforcement's ability to pursue offenders and better protect children." Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments